Police say counterfeit and illicit goods worth about R80 million were seized during a two-day operation in Limpopo. The operation took place in Musina and Thohoyandou on 9 and 10 March.
Law enforcement teams visited 33 shops suspected of selling counterfeit or illicit goods. Police said a total of 171,418 items were confiscated under the Customs and Excise Act. The goods included clothing, shoes, jewellery, fashion accessories, cellphone accessories, toys and various consumables suspected to be counterfeit.
The operation involved several agencies, including the National Illicit Goods Unit, Public Order Policing units from Makhado and Thohoyandou, detectives, the South African National Defence Force and SARS Customs. Brand protection officials also assisted.
Authorities also detained one vehicle allegedly used to transport illicit goods.
Police said the operation followed intelligence identifying several businesses suspected of distributing counterfeit merchandise. Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said the operation aimed to protect legitimate businesses and consumers.
She said police would continue conducting similar operations across the province to tackle the illegal trade in counterfeit goods.